Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele will make an announcement in the next few days regarding the grounding of SA Airlink.
Earlier today, the Minister announced that he is considering grounding SA Airlink following a string of aviation safety incidents involving the airline in the past few months, with the latest incident occurring yesterday Monday, 7 December 2009 involving an SA Airlink Embraer 135 Commuter Jet with 30 passengers and three crew members which went off the end of the runway at George Airport.
The Minister has instructed the Commissioner of the South African Civil Aviation Authority to forward to the Office of the Minister the following information by close of business on Friday, 11 December 2009, in order to enable the Minister to make a decision on the grounding.
a. The report of the current audit underway at SA Airlink
b. The audit report preceding the audit mentioned above
c. Preliminary reports on all accidents/incidents involving SA Airlink in the last six months
d. Synopsis of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) for the accident which occurred in Durban.
Media contact:
Sam Monareng
Cell: 083 326 1521
Issued by: Department of Transport
8 December 2009
